AI could put people off tech jobs and hurt the economy, warns Raspberry Pi boss

Eben Upton, the founder of the British computer company Raspberry Pi, has expressed concerns about the potential negative effects of overestimating Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. Speaking on the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast, he cautioned that inflated expectations around AI might discourage people from pursuing careers in technology, which could worsen existing skill shortages rather than alleviate them. According to Upton, many individuals are prone to exaggerate what current AI tools can achieve, and there is a risk that claims about AI replacing large numbers of computing jobs in the near future could be misleading.

The emergence of AI-driven tools like ChatGPT and Claude has sparked widespread fears about extensive job losses, especially among tech professionals and recent graduates. Major companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have attributed thousands of layoffs over the past year to advances in AI technology. However, some analysts argue that AI is being unfairly used as a justification for workforce reductions following a hiring surge during the post-pandemic period, suggesting that the link between AI and layoffs may not be as direct as it appears.

Upton warned that overplaying the role of chatbots and similar AI systems in replacing human workers could undermine significant efforts by organizations—including Raspberry Pi—to encourage interest in technology careers. He emphasized the importance of maintaining enthusiasm for these innovative tools while remaining realistic about their current limitations. He highlighted the uncertainty that surrounds educational guidance on preparing for an AI-driven future, stating, “You read in the paper: ‘What guidance should you give your child about what GCSEs to choose in the context of an AI future?’ We have no data to inform a rational decision on that,” adding, “The answer is: wait five years, wait 10 years, and then maybe we might know something.”

In addition to concerns about AI’s impact on education and the workforce, Upton also touched upon broader economic issues. He stressed the necessity of having a strong pipeline of engineers to sustain economic growth. Raspberry Pi, known for producing the UK’s best-selling computers, has played a key role in fostering programming skills among enthusiasts. Founded in 2012 by Upton to address the diminishing accessibility of computing skills among young people—due in part to the rise of mobile phones and gaming consoles—Raspberry Pi successfully listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2024. Despite Britain’s robust industrial capacity, Upton pointed out that high energy costs pose a significant challenge for manufacturers, noting, “About the only reason I wouldn’t do engineering build objects in the UK is the high cost of energy, and we need to do something about that.” Reflecting on the broader implications, he remarked, “The cost of energy in the home has an impact on your labour cost. You have to pay people enough money to live.

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